PAUL CORNELL ON YA PRESENTS: VISION

[MattBrady]

<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/YoungAvengers/Viz/YA_vision.jpg" align="right">by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Tom Brevoort and CB Cebulski announced (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=128594) at the Mondo Marvel panel at Baltimore Comic-Con in September that there will be a five-issue mini-series in January that will focus on the Young Avengers, with each issue done by a different writer and focusing on a different one or two characters.

We’ve talked to writers Brubaker, Reed and Aguirre-Sacasa about The Patriot, Hulkling, and Wiccan & Speed, respectively.

There is nothing top secret about who the fourth writer is going to be – Paul Cornell. He is a British writer who’d previously written Wisdom (http://www.newsarama.com/SDCC06/Marvel/Mondo/Wisdom.html) for Marvel’s MAX imprint. He’s also been tapped to take over Excalibur (http://www.newsarama.com/Chicago_07/Marvel/X-Men/panel.html) from veteran X-Men scribe Chris Claremont when the title relaunches in 2008. Apart from comics, he’s a sci-fi novelist and TV scriptwriter. His Doctor Who episode 'Father's Day' was nominated for a Hugo Award in the Best Drama: Short Form category.

Newsarama.com spoke with Cornell about writing The Vision (with art by Mark Brooks) in Young Avengers Presents #4, due out in April.

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/YoungAvengers/Viz/YApage1pencils.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/YoungAvengers/Viz/t_YApage1pencils.jpg" border="0" align="left"></a> Newsarama: Paul, why the Vision? Was this a character that you'd always wanted to tackle as a writer?

Paul Cornell: Tom B suggested him, and that I take part in the miniseries, and I've always been a fan of the character. Originally he was the love child of Spock and the Martian Manhunter, but, as the technological character, he's always been a mirror of what tech in the real world is like. And emotion/no emotion is always in play, so loads to deal with there.

NRAMA: What aspects about Allan Heinberg's Young Avengers concept appeal to you as a writer?

PC: It's like the Marvel universe suddenly reimagined as a hit TV show. I think the shift in perspective was hugely influential. We're right inside the points of view of the kids, and when older Marvel characters appear, they've got this distant gravitas to them. And the way it’s packed with emotion, that feels fresh as well. YA and Runaways both made this same adjustment at the same time. It's not the only way to do exciting modern Marvel stories, but it's a very fun one.

NRAMA: What was your first exposure to the Avengers in the UK?

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/YoungAvengers/Viz/YApage2pencils.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/YoungAvengers/Viz/t_YApage2pencils.jpg" border="0" align="right"></a> PC: The British weekly Avengers comic, in black and white, with scary Dr. Strange in the back. It started with the team finding Cap, and I was mesmerized by it. And I was heartbroken when everyone left and Hawkeye and co. came along, because Giant Man was my favorite. And this doesn't seem to have been a minority opinion, because shortly after that it became 'The Avengers, starring Master of Kung Fu' and I wasn't allowed it any more.

NRAMA: Did you always have a liking for the synthezoid/android known as the Vision?

PC: Oh yes, from the moment I first laid eyes on him in a treasury edition. That run of Buscema art he was introduced in. Fantastic stuff. I always liked the love triangle he couldn't quite fully participate in. He's pretty damn powerful in the Marvel trumps card game too.

NRAMA: Your first American comic gig was writing the Wisdom MAX series for Marvel, correct? What was the whole comic book writing experience like?

PC: I've been so enjoying myself. I expected Marvel editorial to be all drawn by Jack Kirby, square jawed and chomping cigars and yelling about me being a gold brick, whatever that was. But it turns out they're drawn by Frank Brunner, and are all gentle and swirly. Apart from Tom B, who's drawn by Gil Kane, so I'm looking up his nose all the time. Basically, if I'm a reasonable chap, they're reasonable and enthusiastic right back, and I like that a lot. Loads of creative back and forth, and the thrill of getting art pages in your inbox. I was really proud of Wisdom, with its big old ending, and I love how we're getting more attention now it's been collected.

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/YoungAvengers/Viz/YApage3pencils.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/YoungAvengers/Viz/t_YApage3pencils.jpg" border="0" align="left"></a> NRAMA: Young Avengers' Vision was originally a younger, teenage version of Kang the Conqueror who traveled back to the present from the future before he "left" his armor behind which then resulted in the Vision's operating system being activated. What do you have in mind for this new Vision?

PC: Good synopsizing skills, there. Obviously, I'm keeping all that (actually, this being comics, it's probably not all that obvious). I wanted to define him a bit more, give him some life experiences, see what his relationships are like, and make it clear that he can talk with contractions when he wants to.

NRAMA: Both the Vision and Runaways' Victor Mancha (or Static Cling Lad or Mr. Roboto or Man of La Mancha) were created by Ultron. With "daddy" on a quest for universal domination in the pages of Annihilation: Conquest, and another more feminine version battling the Mighty Avengers, will you be bringing "daddy" to the pages of Young Avengers Presents too?

PC: No. Sorry. I do love Ultron, though.

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/YoungAvengers/Viz/YApage4pencils.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/YoungAvengers/Viz/t_YApage4pencils.jpg" border="0" align="right"></a> NRAMA: Who have you got to illustrate this? What does he bring to the project?

PC: Mark Brooks. I love his style, he's great with character expression and with action. There's a lot of unspoken and spoken passion in this, so it's great he's onboard.

NRAMA: Where do you see the Vision heading to next? After all, original Young Avengers creator and writer had once revealed that his plans for the new "season" of the series would involve a love triangle between the Vision, the teenage Kang and Cassie (Stature)…will this story be touching on that?

PC: Yes - I'm here to start that off, by sending the Vision and Cassie out on a very awkward date. (Yes, I know, opposite sides, that's why it's so complicated.) I'm very fond of Allan, and I feel that my job is to put the pieces into place for his plan to go ahead in the future. I'm a caretaker manager, and I hope I've motivated the team (the characters, I suppose, it's Christmas, my metaphors are asleep on the sofa) to a win, but I'm not going to be a regular face in the dressing room (whatever that might be).

[HieuLeBui]

Looks good.

[Brian009]

I love Paul's work, particularily Dr. Who, but I also enjoyed Wisdom (and was always curious what Warren Ellis thought of it). I wasn't looking at any of the YA books, but now that he's writing this one...

Cheers,

B

[I-Ching]

I'm really getting excited for these one shots, glad Marvel didn't let YA collect dust.

Who's the artist on this one? Mark Brooks?

[WildcardZ]

Sweet, Mark Brooks is doing the art. I haven't had much exposure to Cornell, but I have heard great things. Since he is kicking off an idea that Heinberg was going to use, maybe that means the YA relaunch isn't far behind.

[HieuLeBui]

I always thought Mark Brooks should have gotten the Ultimate Spidey job after Bagley left but then I'm glad that he didn't because he would not be all that comfortable with be comparing with Bagley because their style is so similar to each other.

[sniperboyz]

The Vision used to be one of the most powerful Avengers. Boy, they sure de-balled him when they came out with the Kang/Vision in Young Avengers. Now the Vision is just a limp noodle. I wish they would bring back the "real" Vision.

[Marius665]

I've asked this question before on here and no one had a decent answer. Maybe you guys can help. In Young Avengers, the Vision stated that he has a the GPS location of all the next generation of Avengers(YA and others). With Stark aware of this information, wouldn't he gather up these young heroes to add to his 50 state plan:confused:

Oh, and this issue looks great and I will be picking this up:D

[Chief Jon]

Vision is really cool. I was originally just going to get the issue by Brubaker but reading these articles I think I might get the whole series. How many issues are there going to be? Does anybody know if Stature and Hawkeye will each get their own issue?

[Chief Jon]

I've asked this question before on here and no one had a decent answer. Maybe you guys can help. In Young Avengers, the Vision stated that he has a the GPS location of all the next generation of Avengers(YA and others). With Stark aware of this information, wouldn't he gather up these young heroes to add to his 50 state plan:confused:

Oh, and this issue looks great and I will be picking this up:D

Does Stark even have access to those files still? And if so maybe he already has and that's where the likes of the Liberteens and a lot of the recruits in the initative came from.

[Ace]

This is fun, but you really should have asked the Excalibur question.

[whitemarkd]

Incredible art - the way the female face is drawn, it's almsot a cross between Jim Lee and Nicola Scott (especially the way she draws Misfit).

[Marius665]

Does Stark even have access to those files still? And if so maybe he already has and that's where the likes of the Liberteens and a lot of the recruits in the initative came from.

majority of them have their own origin which was explained in the A:I Annaul(spelling?)

and as long as the Vision is active, that bastard Stark can access the files when even he wants

and the Liberteens suck major balls man:p

[btjs]

MUST HAVE EXCALIBUR

CORNNNEEELLLLLL

[markfdavis]

Looks great!!!


www.grandcanyoncomics.com

[HartyPotter]

Man, i know it's not relevant to the interior story, but that Cheung guy... he's just something else.

[deathmasterj]

This is fun, but you really should have asked the Excalibur question.

I was also hoping for some more info on Excalibur. Wisdom was bloody great (and so are his Doctor Who episodes), so I'm really looking forward to someone taking on Excalibur that knows what they are doing.

[Bevbos]

Great writer, and the pages look gorgeous. Can't wait. BUT...

As with the other one-shots detailed so far, it bothers me that none of them are obviously tying in to any of the other big stuff going on at Marvel right now. They all seem to be character pieces. Part of what makes YA so great is that they do have these odd ties to the rest of the Marvel U. With Secret Invasion on the horizon and Anihilation: Conquest going on right now, it seems odd that a half-Skrull half-Kree character would not be involved in some way, and that the young Vision here wouldn't have any interaction with Ultron.

I suppose leave it for another day, but still, I think a Young Avengers/Runaways II is called for at some point, perhaps as a Secret Invasion tie-in or in response to the conclusion of the Captain Marvel and Anhilation: Conquest minis.

But I reiterate: loved Cornell's Wisdom and very much looking forward to this.

[Supremeo]

The Vision used to be one of the most powerful Avengers. Boy, they sure de-balled him when they came out with the Kang/Vision in Young Avengers. Now the Vision is just a limp noodle. I wish they would bring back the "real" Vision.


Actually the vision now is much more powerful than his previous incarnation. His previous body all it could do was become intangible and have some density control and shoot lasers from it's crystal in it's head.

This current vision has the armor of kang the conquerer which is about 20 centuries into the future. That means he has all the capabilities that kang did like anti matter shields,cobalt gravity weapons,time travel.

He is the most powerful member of YA and he is powerful enough to go toe to toe with most of the top tier people in Marvel.

[Marius665]

The Vision used to be one of the most powerful Avengers. Boy, they sure de-balled him when they came out with the Kang/Vision in Young Avengers. Now the Vision is just a limp noodle. I wish they would bring back the "real" Vision.


they need to bring back the all white vision, God I miss that guy:(

[CaptainCanad]

Smooth, Vision, very smooth.

Cassie's reaction to seeing him is hilarious (pretty overconfident to do that while the guards are still there).

[I-Ching]

It's nice to see a new writer like Cornell from a different background come into the fold with little pressure/expectation...unlike say Whedon or even Damon Lindelof (does one issue count as "into the fold"?...anyways)....but what do we know about this new Excalibur??

I was a HUGE fan of the Alan Davis version...and anything Davis pretty much...and even after he left I stuck with it for a bit and it was okay overall.

When Claremont rebooted it I loved the concept of them rebuilding a society on Genosha but hated the poor execution/writing...then when they rebooted it again I didnt' bother because it seemed so lackluster and the depiction of Dazzler was just weak/90's throwback.

Hopefully Cornell has something special for us...Capt. Britain, Meggan, Dazzler, Nightcrawler, Kitty, etc.

[Jiminy Snick]

looks interesting.

[DaVeO]

It's nice to see a new writer like Cornell from a different background come into the fold with little pressure/expectation...unlike say Whedon or even Damon Lindelof (does one issue count as "into the fold"?...anyways)....but what do we know about this new Excalibur??

I was a HUGE fan of the Alan Davis version...and anything Davis pretty much...and even after he left I stuck with it for a bit and it was okay overall.

When Claremont rebooted it I loved the concept of them rebuilding a society on Genosha but hated the poor execution/writing...then when they rebooted it again I didnt' bother because it seemed so lackluster and the depiction of Dazzler was just weak/90's throwback.

Hopefully Cornell has something special for us...Capt. Britain, Meggan, Dazzler, Nightcrawler, Kitty, etc.

Dazzler's evolution was the best thing that came out of the last run. She can do some pretty amazing things with her powers now. So I too hope she stays. BTW was it ever explained why she seemed to be immortal now. I didn't get X-Men Die by the Sword (the first issue was awful) so I don't know if that was explained.
I'm hearing enough good buzz on WISDOM that I think I'll pick it up.

[zengoth]

they need to bring back the all white vision, God I miss that guy:(

The all white Vision ROCKED!!! :cool:

I loved YA as a series, so I will definitely pick up the one shots...

[AbacusComics]

Looks good.

Nah... Looks GREAT! Mark is one of my faves.

[thorionthei]

"NRAMA: Young Avengers' Vision was originally a younger, teenage version of Kang the Conqueror who traveled back to the present from the future before he "left" his armor behind which then resulted in the Vision's operating system being activated. What do you have in mind for this new Vision?"

Well it seems they are going to keep the Vision a "teenager". Thank god! Marvel has messed up the Vision so bad that it's best to just keep a "new" one around. Please don't return to the old one! The old one was so messed up with all the baggage...Wonder Man, original human torch, etc.

I like this Vision. I always thought they should've explained the Vision as being built by Immortus/Kang. It would've explained so much. Also the original Golden Age Vision is from "Limbo" like Immortus. Would've been cool that the emotional side of the android was actually this wraith like Vision...the one that fell in love with Wanda. Vision has always been more alien than robot to me...that would've explained it.

Regardless...leave this fresh! don't retread!

[thorionthei]

The all white Vision ROCKED!!! :cool:

I loved YA as a series, so I will definitely pick up the one shots...

The white Vision did rock cause he wasn't WonderMan-Human Torch frankenstein. He was his own...um...android.

[ascloseasme]

No offense to Cornell, but no matter how could the story sounds, I cannot buy another book drawn by Brooks.

He's a TERRIBLE artist. Cartoonish. Flat. Repetitive. Limited expression. Squared faces. ... Ugh.

[DaVeO]

No offense to Cornell, but no matter how could the story sounds, I cannot buy another book drawn by Brooks.

He's a TERRIBLE artist. Cartoonish. Flat. Repetitive. Limited expression. Squared faces. ... Ugh.

Did you even look at the sample pages provided? Looks pretty solid to me. Maybe his previous stuff was not to your liking, but tell me what's wrong with those pencils in the samples. :confused:

[Chief Jon]

"NRAMA: Young Avengers' Vision was originally a younger, teenage version of Kang the Conqueror who traveled back to the present from the future before he "left" his armor behind which then resulted in the Vision's operating system being activated. What do you have in mind for this new Vision?"

Well it seems they are going to keep the Vision a "teenager". Thank god! Marvel has messed up the Vision so bad that it's best to just keep a "new" one around. Please don't return to the old one! The old one was so messed up with all the baggage...Wonder Man, original human torch, etc.

I like this Vision. I always thought they should've explained the Vision as being built by Immortus/Kang. It would've explained so much. Also the original Golden Age Vision is from "Limbo" like Immortus. Would've been cool that the emotional side of the android was actually this wraith like Vision...the one that fell in love with Wanda. Vision has always been more alien than robot to me...that would've explained it.

Regardless...leave this fresh! don't retread!

I like the idea of the classic Vision too. I like to think he's still out there somewhere in his dimension and that he'll be back again someday. Without the help of Rick jones and the Destiny Force.

[The Last Word]

The Vision used to be one of the most powerful Avengers. Boy, they sure de-balled him when they came out with the Kang/Vision in Young Avengers. Now the Vision is just a limp noodle. I wish they would bring back the "real" Vision.

Actually, they castrated him in the late 80s, long before Young Avengers, repeatedly allowing him to be ripped apart by whatever menance happened to confront the team, and eventually "disassembled".

The Vision was stronger and more durable than the Thing back in the 70s, and could take the whole FF by himself - easily. He took out half the Squadron Supreme -- including Hyperion -- by himself. Excluding cosmic entities, he was easily one of the six or seven most powerful heroes on Earth, following Thor, Hercules, the Hulk, Iron Man and Wonderman. In fact, notwithstanding the fact that the Vision was repeatedly referred to as the third most powerful Avenger, he used to east Iron Man's lunch.

Byrne ruined him, and others piled on. What a waste.

[JLAJRC]

I find it strange that they're using a plot point from Heinberg's "supposed to happen whenever he has time Season 2" of YA. This hasn't happened yet, so this date story comes out of left field. If Heinberg isn't careful, whenever he does get around to doing Season 2, people may just stop caring.

[Krypto]

Oh I cannot wait for Cornell's Excalibur, and this should be fun too. I hope Jarvis is in there somehow - it could be the first time this supposed Brit is written by a Brit.

And yeah, they ruined Avengers weekly by making Shang-Chi the cover star, but it got worse when the team basically lost their title to sodding Conan.

[TheToileteer]

Originally he was the love child of Spock and the Martian Manhunter

I thought he was the love-child of Spock and Red Tornado. Or did the robot version of Reddy come after...?

Hmm...a teenaged robot. That's weird. What does that MEAN, for a robot to be a "teenager"? I keep thinking of Astro-Boy here... Anyway, that means Vision can have a relationship with Deathcry now, without it being too creepy.

So: readers who prefer their robots to be sexy women have the Ultimates, while readers who prefer boys have Young Avengers. (Holy Platonic relationships, Batman!)

[victorshade]

The Vision used to be one of the most powerful Avengers. Boy, they sure de-balled him when they came out with the Kang/Vision in Young Avengers. Now the Vision is just a limp noodle. I wish they would bring back the "real" Vision.

Amen to that! I don't get the new feminine looking Vision and why more people aren't pissed about what they did to the old one. They really need to bring him back. At this point I think he should repair himself and come back all pissed off at all his "friends" for not reassembling him and leaving him in Starks basement in a f'ng box. Make him not neccesarily a villain, but definetly pissed at all his old buddies that abandoned him. I'd definetly like to see him fight Iron Man at least, maybe phasing his hand through Starks brain rendering him able to see, but unable to move for a while, or locking him in a box for a while. They already missed out on some great beats with the whole Wanda thing. It's long overdue.

[ichigaku]

I love this series...and Vision is one of my favs :D nice to know that the one shot of Vision is handled by A very GOOD WRITER :D

[Dallas Bar]

Wisdom was a great and entertaining ( if a bit puzzling) read. I just love Skrull John Lennon ( The word? The is Love, man...) Groovy!

Looking forward to this!

[Angelophile]

It's nice to see a new writer like Cornell from a different background come into the fold with little pressure/expectation...unlike say Whedon or even Damon Lindelof (does one issue count as "into the fold"?...anyways)....but what do we know about this new Excalibur??

I was a HUGE fan of the Alan Davis version...and anything Davis pretty much...and even after he left I stuck with it for a bit and it was okay overall.

When Claremont rebooted it I loved the concept of them rebuilding a society on Genosha but hated the poor execution/writing...then when they rebooted it again I didnt' bother because it seemed so lackluster and the depiction of Dazzler was just weak/90's throwback.

Hopefully Cornell has something special for us...Capt. Britain, Meggan, Dazzler, Nightcrawler, Kitty, etc.

So far we don't know much and Paul's been playing his cards close to his chest - presumably there's not a lot he CAN say until Marvel officially announce the relaunch. I know he's dropped a few hints on his bog about being excited to be working for Marvel and there's tales of drunken exploits with Millar and co, but obviously he's careful not to put Marvel's back up by spoiling any surprises they'll use as promotion.

He did let slip that he's going to be putting his team through the wars, however, and to expect drama during the next year. He's also previously mentioned that the new team will be entirely British Marvel characters with only one yank. Other than that, I wouldn't expect much until Marvel decide to officially announce it. Presumably they'll do that when they talk about the other X-men related relaunches post-Messiah Complex.

" I was really proud of Wisdom, with its big old ending, and I love how we're getting more attention now it's been collected."

That makes me happy. The book was shamefully overlooked when it came out and I'm glad that it's getting some interest now. Glad Marvel realized there was a niche for Paul and sales on the monthlies weren't the be all and end all.

[bomaya]

Sod this Paul, get back to writing Who!

Seriously though, love all the writers on this mini. Loving Cheung's covers especially since I found out he's drawing all those backgrounds - they aren't just photostats!!

[Jeremy Williams]

Dude, no questions about Excalibur?

btw, I hope Cornell doesn't ignore everything the YA writer did(it's been so long I don't remember his name).

[CaptainCanad]

Dude, no questions about Excalibur?

The interview isn't about Excalibur.

[Ovid]

So far we don't know much and Paul's been playing his cards close to his chest - presumably there's not a lot he CAN say until Marvel officially announce the relaunch. I know he's dropped a few hints on his bog about being excited to be working for Marvel and there's tales of drunken exploits with Millar and co, but obviously he's careful not to put Marvel's back up by spoiling any surprises they'll use as promotion.

He did let slip that he's going to be putting his team through the wars, however, and to expect drama during the next year. He's also previously mentioned that the new team will be entirely British Marvel characters with only one yank. Other than that, I wouldn't expect much until Marvel decide to officially announce it. Presumably they'll do that when they talk about the other X-men related relaunches post-Messiah Complex.
Yeah, but it's still a painful wait. Between Cornell's EXCALIBUR and the Amanda Conner TERRA miniseries, Marvel and DC are putting me on the rack!

That makes me happy. The book was shamefully overlooked when it came out and I'm glad that it's getting some interest now. Glad Marvel realized there was a niche for Paul and sales on the monthlies weren't the be all and end all.
I picked it up in trade and was very impressed indeed. It'd be interesting to see the UK sales figures. I certainly enjoy seeing heroes from my own country - UNION JACK was pretty bloody good too.

[drws]

I will be checking this title out, anybody whose favourite Avenger was Giant-Man must know what they are doing. That's me, Keith Giffen and now Paul Cornell who love Giant-Man. Forget Young Vision lets have a Giant-Man mini series!

Seriously I will give this title a go, I enjoyed the Wisdom mini series especially the issue set in Cardiff, not to far from home.

I heard Paul Cornell on a panel at the Bristol con last year seemed to be enthusiastic about writing comics, I think Alan Heinberg,( hope I spelt that correct.) was on the same panel, perhaps they had a chat about Young Avengers.

Oh yes the Avengers did not just lose the cover of Avengers weekly to Shang-Chi, they also rotated with Iron Fist. Loved that weekly, great days.

[KingPagla]

Nah... Looks GREAT! Mark is one of my faves.
I hate how he draws those Xs all over the place.

[KingPagla]

Amen to that! I don't get the new feminine looking Vision and why more people aren't pissed about what they did to the old one. They really need to bring him back. At this point I think he should repair himself and come back all pissed off at all his "friends" for not reassembling him and leaving him in Starks basement in a f'ng box. Make him not neccesarily a villain, but definetly pissed at all his old buddies that abandoned him. I'd definetly like to see him fight Iron Man at least, maybe phasing his hand through Starks brain rendering him able to see, but unable to move for a while, or locking him in a box for a while. They already missed out on some great beats with the whole Wanda thing. It's long overdue.
World War Vision would be great!
But I agree with "Last Word". Vizh hasn't been the same since his Whiting.
Even Busiek and Perez didn't bring him back to is former glory.

[ProudToSuck]

Cornell's Wisdom mini was a hoot -- certainly not standard Marvel fare, which can be good OR bad. In this case it was definitely good. But you couldn't pay me to buy this book. Mark Brooks' art is such a major turnoff to me. As much as I can dig on a great story, if I can't get into the art, I'll skip it no problem.. and I skip everything Mark Brooks does. Just... can't get into his art.

[Thephanboy]

totally lookin forward to this series. cant wait till young avengers comes back as a mouthly. this was a missed opportunity on marvels part by not continuing this series.